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Network Newsletter  Rights and Democracy Network Number 29 November 9,2009 Newsletter Sections |
Looking Back at the 2009 Network Retreat
The Network's retreat, which took place from September 24 to 27, was a big success. With a full but dynamic programme we were able to weave close ties among the delegates and between them and the Rights & Democracy staff. We had long conversations with Kuda Chitsike, a Zimbabwean activist who just produced a documentary film about political violence against women entitled Hear Us – Zimbabwean Women Affected by Political Violence Speak Out (it can be presented on university campuses for public educational purposes). We also discussed a number of topics on which Rights & Democracy is working, such as the impacts of foreign trade and investment on human rights, sexual violence against women in conflict situations, and the impact of the Colombian conflict on human rights. Speaking of that country, we treated ourselves to an evening with Ingrid Bétancourt, who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), when RDI television programme 24h en 60 minutes interviewed her.
The next retreat will be held in late summer 2010. If you are interested in attending, stay tuned, because we will be inviting Canadian students to apply at www.dd-rd.net as well as by email.
Another Change to the Network Team
Diane Migneault has left her position as Network Administrative Assistant to take on the same duties with the Deputy Director of Human Resources at Rights & Democracy. While we are greatly saddened by Diane's departure, we are also relieved, because she is staying close by and will be able to lend us a hand! Those who wish to say goodbye can send her an email at dmigneault@dd-rd.ca. And we take this opportunity to welcome our new "super assistant", Lise Masse! Lise has a bachelor's degree in Management/Finance. She worked in the field of finance for 20 years before joining our team and plunging into the world of human rights, which has always piqued her interest. You can write to Lise at lmasse@dd-rd.ca.
The Network Consultative Committee to be Launched this Winter
Momentum is building for the new Network Consultative Committee (NCC) which is being created this year to strengthen the links between Rights & Democracy, the Network team, and the members of the Network. This committee will include student members from eastern and western Canada, Network alumni, and staff. Network members who sit on the NCC will be elected by Network members in a national online vote this winter, with terms lasting two years. Committee members should be passionate about human rights, grassroots movements, transparency, democratic values, and innovation. They will also need to be active in their home delegations or alumni who have been active during their time at the university.
To learn more about the NCC and how you can get involved, visit: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/cms/site/en/aboutus.
Promoting Democratic Development through Culture: Ngondo 2009 in Canada
Hugue Mbedi,
Member of the Rights & Democracy Network Delegation at Moncton University
From August 13 to 15, the City of Montréal hosted the Ngondo celebration, a popular festival that has been celebrated for two centuries along the Cameroon coast.
Members of the Rights & Democracy Network were invited by Hugue Mbedi, co-organizer of Ngondo and member of the Moncton University Network Delegation.
In the presence of his Majesty Réné Douala Manga Bell, traditional chief of the Sawa people and serving president of Ngondo, Network students and many other guests participated in the traditional ceremonies in the Old Port of Montréal, in the cultural gathering and in a conference-debate on the role played by Ngondo in Cameroon's democratic process. A gala evening at Marché Bonsecours closed the event. His Majesty signed the Golden Book in the Hall of Honour at City Hall, surrounded by local elected officials and the municipal executive.
The very first celebration of Ngondo in Canada reflects the will of Montréal's elected officials to promote human rights while encouraging the cultural enrichment of their citizens and Cameroonian and Sawan friends.
Photo: His Majesty, accompanied by his spouse, Queen Delphine Douala Bell, and members of the City of Montreal's executive committee during the signing of the city's Golden Book.
Human Rights Activist Zoya Phan from Burma on Network Tour in Ontario
Zoya Phan, a 28 year old Karen refugee from Burma spoke at two Rights & Democracy Network events in Toronto and London about her life and work struggling for human rights in Burma as documented in her recently-published autobiography “Little Daughter: A Memoir of Survival in Burma and the West”. Click here to read the news item posted on the Network’s website. To watch YouTube videos of Zoya Phan click here
Should Economic and Social Rights Trump Civil and Political Rights? The case of Haiti
Lonège OGISMA, Haiti
Online member of the Rights & Democracy Network
For 20 years in Haiti, gains in terms of civil and political rights have been compromised. The clear cause is the deterioration of economic and social rights. In fact, the sociopolitical problems and acts of vandalism that Haiti experienced from 2000 to 2006 had unprecedented after-effects. To quell acts of vandalism, authorities had to strengthen the controlling forces to consolidate the meagre gains made in terms of civil rights, guarantee economic and social rights, and create a climate of security.
In provincial towns, in the countryside and in the disadvantaged areas of Port-au-Prince, socio-economic conditions are wanting. Just think of the farmers who work without technical assistance (Photo opposite), and of women who, as they carry on trade between the towns, are at the mercy of highway bandits …. To read the complete article, please click here.
Bloggers for Human Rights: New Media vs Repressive Regimes –A Summary of the Ottawa round table
Uprisings in Burma, China, Iran and Zimbabwe over the last two years have demonstrated the growing importance of new media as alternative sources of information in authoritarian states. New media definitely offer a new avenue for freedom of expression, but do they ultimately enhance democratic development? On October 7th, the second seminar of Rights & Democracy's “Cross-Canada Dialogue series” addressed the topic “New Media vs Repressive Regimes, Democratic Development and the Freedom of Expression.” Click here for more information on this event, watch the video, and download related documents.
Read Canadian newsmagazine Maclean's interview with Wael Abbas, a well-known Egyptian blogger who participated in this seminar.
Rights & Democracy’s John Humphrey Award
Created in honour of Canadian John Peters Humphrey, who helped prepare the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the John Humphrey Award has been presented yearly since 1992 to an organization or individual from any region of the world for exceptional achievement in the promotion of human rights and democratic development. The award consists of a grant, as well as a speaking tour to Canadian cities to increase awareness of the recipient's human rights work. Stay tuned for the announcement of this year's winner of Rights & Democracy's John Humphrey Award on November 10th. The winner was selected from more than 100 nominations and will join Rights & Democracy at the end of November and early December for a two-week speaking tour of Canadian cities with stops in:
Edmonton: Wednesday, November 25th
Vancouver: Friday, November 27th
Toronto: Wednesday, December 2nd
Montreal: Monday, December 7th
Ottawa (Award ceremony): Tuesday, December 8th
More information on these free public events will be available on Rights & Democracy's John Humphrey Freedom Award pages on November 10th.
Rights & Democracy and its commitment to the people of Burma
The people of Burma has been living in terror since 1962, the year the military junta took control of the country. Despite the overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 1990 elections, the regime is standing firm and continues to sabotage human rights, to torture, to rape women, to use forced labour, to displace entire sectors of the population, among other human rights violations. Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the NLD, which won the 1990 elections, and winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, is one of Burma’s 2200 political prisoners who have been arrested while simple exercising their human rights.
Burma is a closed country. But that doesn’t stop Rights & Democracy Asia Regional Officer Mika Lévesque. She has lots of ideas for supporting the cause that she is so passionate about. For several years, Mika has been running a project to support the underground journalists of the Democratic Voice of Burma (see the Rights & Democracy webpage to download interviews with some of these journalists). She is also the Canadian founder of an unusual campaign to overthrow the military regime in Burma and to support Burmese women: the Panties for Peace campaign, which is now supported by many Rights & Democracy Network delegations across Canada.
To learn more about Rights & Democracy’s programme on Burma and Mika’s important work, click here. Mika has seen firsthand to what extent young people are in the forefront of human rights movements all over the world. We are therefore launching a call to Network students to take a look at the issues of human rights and democratic development in Burma … pssst! As some of you know, Mika is an excellent and very articulate speaker!
NGOs welcome historic step forward for the protection of all human rights. Momentous signing of the Optional Protocol on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the United Nations
New York, 24 September 2009
“Justice for people whose economic, social and cultural rights are violated, took a decisive step forward today” said Muthoni Wanyeki of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, as 20 States began signing the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the United Nations. To read the full press release click here.
Determined action to end hunger required: New journal says human rights are key to eliminating hunger
MONTREAL – Oct. 15, 2009 – The international community marks World Food Day (October 16th), as more than a billion people go hungry every day. This fundamental injustice is made all the more egregious in light of the international community’s pledge during the 1996 World Food Summit to halve chronic hunger by 2015.
The United Nations “World Food Summit on Food Security” in November 2009 will gather international leaders in a renewed effort to curb growing hunger. However, a new Rights & Democracy-supported journal, theRight to Food and Nutrition WATCH (PDF), warns that hunger will continue as long as the international community fails to meet its human rights obligations. Click here to read the rest of this press release.
November 20: Universal Children's Day
The date 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of this situation.
December 10: Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For a very dynamic, compelling information website on the Declaration, including and audio clip in many languages, visit www.knowyourrights2008.org/.
The Network’s on-line forum announces job and internship opportunities in Canada and around the world. To access the forum, you must be a member of the Rights & Democracy Network. Become a member by signing up here: http://www.dd-rd.net/members/
If you are already a member, visit the Forum’s jobs and internships section by clicking here: http://www.droitsdemocratie.net/network-forum/index.php?login_lang=en
We welcome your feedback and suggestions on our stories. Articles on your experiences related to human rights and democratic development in developing countries are also appreciated. Send your comments and articles to the editor by email to network@dd-rd.ca.
The Network Team:
Coordinator: Elana Wright (interim)
Liaison Officer: Nelly Desrosiers (interim)
Administrative Assistant: Lise Masse
Rights & Democracy Network
1001, boul. de Maisonneuve E., Suite 1100
Montréal, Québec H2L 4P9 CANADA
Phone: (514 283-6073)
Toll-free: 1-877-736-3833
Fax: (514) 283-3792
network@dd-rd.ca
www.rightsdemocracy.net
Available issues :
Issue 29 (November 9,2009)
Issue 28 (September 25, 2009)
Issue 27 (July 28, 2009)
Issue 26 (March 27, 2009)
Issue 25 (January 29, 2009)
Issue 24 (December 9, 2008)
Issue 23 (October 29, 2008)
Issue 22 (August 27, 2008)
Issue 21 (July 23, 2008)
Issue 20 (April 24, 2008)
Issue 19 (March 27, 2008)
Issue 18 (January 24, 2008)
Issue 17 (December 20, 2007)
Issue 16 (November 27, 2007)
Issue 15 (November 6, 2007)
Issue 14 (October 18, 2007)
Issue 13 (September 25, 2007)
Issue 12 (September 11, 2007)
Issue 11 (Summer 2007)
Issue 10 (April 13, 2007)
Issue 9 (November 2006)
Issue 8 (August 2006)
Issue 7 (May 4, 2006)
Issue 6 (April 12, 2006)
Issue 5 (March 21, 2006)
Issue 4 (March 1, 2006)
Issue 3 (February 16, 2006)
Issue 2 (January 31, 2006)
Issue 1 (January 17, 2006)
